Graham says President growing ‘Derelict’ in Duties

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made this statement in response to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey saying that only when ISIL becomes a direct threat to the American homeland will he recommend U.S. military action against the group in Syria. Last week, General Dempsey warned ISIL had an ‘apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision’ and could not be defeated without addressing that part of their organization, which resides in Syria. Graham said, “The President is becoming derelict in his duties as Commander in Chief to protect our homeland by not aggressively confronting ISIL wherever they reside, including Syria. The White House is trying to minimize the threat we face in order to justify not changing a failed strategy. I fear their foot dragging in confronting increased radical Islamic threats is setting the stage for the creation of an even more powerful ISIL, which further terrorizes the region and poses even graver threats to the American homeland. I also fear political pressure is being applied to the military and others to justify President Obama’s reluctance to aggressively confront the threat. I was very disappointed to hear the Chairman of Joint Chiefs state that he would not recommend air strikes against ISIL in Syria unless they become a direct threat to the American homeland. His comments yesterday stand in stark contrast to what he said last week about ISIL’s ‘apocalyptic end of day’s vision’, which could not be defeated without attacking their command and control elements in Syria. General Dempsey’s statements are demoralizing to our friends and allies in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel who are worried about the continued strengthening of ISIL. The case has been made. ISIL is a direct threat to the American homeland. They must be defeated and they cannot be beaten without attacking their safe haven in Syria. To do otherwise is ignoring reality and placing the American homeland at risk. The stronger they grow over there, the more in danger we are over here.”